To visit the oldest wooden structures in the world, you must travel to China and Japan, where you will find Buddhist temples over 1000 years old.

As Buddhism migrated east out of India, it brought with it its own artistic and architectural styles, influencing that of the Chinese. The Chinese then passed their own style (most notable that of the Tang dynasty) on to the Japanese via the Korean peninsula.

The first temples built in China were largely influenced by Indian Buddhist models, yet maintained distinctly Chinese architectural elements.

Our Approach Guide to the Wooden Temples of China and Japan provides a clear and thoughtful overview of the two greatest periods of wooden temple construction in China, that of the Tang (618-906) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have yielded the oldest wooden structures still in existence.

Plan Your Travel Itinerary Using Approach Guides

Whether you are visiting multiple cities on your trip or focusing on a single city, our Approach Guide to the Wooden Temples of China and Japan will help inform your itinerary.

Single Site Visits: Use this guide to visit, in detail, at least one of the wooden temples highlighted in this guide. You will gain intimate knowledge of the site using our in-depth review and begin to appreciate the features of Chinese architecture that can be found at other historical and modern sites.

Multi-City Tour: Approach Guides offers experienced travelers the opportunity to explore the world’s best examples of the harmonious architecture of the early Chinese dynasties. By using this guide, you will not only gain an appreciation of Chinese architecture in general, but will also begin to make your own comparisons and discoveries at each location.

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Approach Guides to the Wooden Temples of China and Japan includes detailed reviews of the following world-class sites, one of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (See our custom map of all of the cities we profile in this guide)

• Nanchan Si (Wutai Shan, China). Tang period temple and the oldest wooden structure in China. Peaceful and quiet, this temple is definitively off the tourist path.
• Foguang Si (Wutai Shan, China). This temple also dates from the Tang dynasty. Given its proximity to Nanchan Si, it makes for an interesting comparison with nearby Nanchan Si.
• Jinci Si (Taiyuan, China). Song period temple. The architectural elements of this temple demonstrate the genius of the Song architects in creating a harmonious structures.
• Yingxian Pagoda (Datong, China). Liao period pagoda done in the Sung style. This is the oldest wooden pagoda (not building) in China. Very impressive and definitely worth a stop.
• Horyuji Complex (Nara, Japan). The oldest wooden structure in the world, predating Nanchan Si by 70 years; this Tang period is a must-see site and easily accessible from Kyoto.

All Approach Guides are offered as PDF files that can be downloaded and printed immediately after purchase.

The magnificent wooden Yingxian Pagoda, Datong, China